4.  The applicants  were born respectively in 1949, 1934, 1953 and live in Altopascio (Lucca), Lastra a Signa and Florence.
5.  They are the owners of four flats in Florence.
6.  On 10 January 2001, the whole property was transferred to the first applicant, Mr Enrico Fossi.
 
1)  Proceedings against G.I.
7.  In a registered letter of 29 April 1987, the applicants informed the tenant that they intended to terminate the lease on expiry of the term on 31 December 1987 and asked her to vacate the premises by that date.
8.  In a writ served on the tenant on 11 June 1987, the applicants reiterated their intention to terminate the lease and summoned the tenant to appear before the Florence Magistrate.
9.  By a decision of 14 July 1987, which was made enforceable on 4 January 1990, the Florence Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 30 November 1990.
10.  On 19 October 1993, the applicants served notice on the tenant requiring her to vacate the premises.
11.  On 11 November 1993, they informed the tenant that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 9 December 1993.
12.  Between 9 December 1993 and 16 November 1998, the bailiff made twelve attempts to recover possession. Each attempt proved unsuccessful, as the applicants were not entitled to police assistance in enforcing the order for possession.
13.  At the end of 1998, the applicants recovered possession of the flat. 
2)  Proceedings against G.C.
14.  In a registered letter of 29 April 1987, the applicants informed the tenant that they intended to terminate the lease on expiry of the term on 31 December 1987 and asked him to vacate the premises by that date.
15.  In a writ served on the tenant on 11 June 1987, the applicants reiterated their intention to terminate the lease and summoned the tenant to appear before the Florence Magistrate.
16.  By a decision of 14 July 1987, which was made enforceable on 31 July 1991, the Florence Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 31 May 1992.
17.  On 19 October 1993, the applicants served notice on the tenant requiring him to vacate the premises.
18.  On 11 November 1993, they informed the tenant that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 9 December 1993.
19.  Between 9 December 1993 and 17 March 1999, the bailiff made thirteen attempts to recover possession. Each attempt proved unsuccessful, as the applicants were not entitled to police assistance in enforcing the order for possession.
20.  On 1 August 2000, the applicants entered into a new lease with the tenant's wife.
21.  On an unspecified date at the end of 2001, Mr Enrico Fossi recovered possession of the flat. 
3)  Proceedings against T.C.
22.  In a registered letter of 29 April 1987, the applicants informed the tenant that they intended to terminate the lease on expiry of the term on 31 December 1987 and asked her to vacate the premises by that date.
23.  In a writ served on the tenant on 11 June 1987, the applicants reiterated their intention to terminate the lease and summoned the tenant to appear before the Florence Magistrate.
24.  By a decision of 14 July 1987, which was made enforceable on 31 July 1991, the Florence Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 31 May 1992.
25.  On 19 October 1993, the applicants served notice on the tenant requiring her to vacate the premises.
26.  On 11 November 1993, they informed the tenant that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 9 December 1993.
27.  Between 9 December 1993 and 17 March 1999, the bailiff made thirteen attempts to recover possession. Each attempt proved unsuccessful, as the applicants were not entitled to police assistance in enforcing the order for possession.
28.  On 13 July 2003, Mr Enrico Fossi recovered possession of the flat. 
4)  Proceedings against G.S.
29.  In a registered letter of 29 April 1987, the applicants informed the tenant that they intended to terminate the lease on expiry of the term on 31 December 1987 and asked him to vacate the premises by that date.
30.  In a writ served on the tenant on 11 June 1987, the applicants reiterated their intention to terminate the lease and summoned the tenant to appear before the Florence Magistrate.
31.  By a decision of 14 July 1987, which was made enforceable on 31 July 1991, the Florence Magistrate upheld the validity of the notice to quit and ordered that the premises be vacated by 31 May 1992.
32.  On 19 October 1993, the applicants served notice on the tenant requiring him to vacate the premises.
33.  On 11 November 1993, they informed the tenant that the order for possession would be enforced by a bailiff on 9 December 1993.
34.  Between 9 December 1993 and 17 March 1999, the bailiff made thirteen attempts to recover possession. Each attempt proved unsuccessful, as the applicants were not entitled to police assistance in enforcing the order for possession.
35.  On an unspecified date of 1999, the applicants recovered possession of the flat.